A DOZEN dedicated competitors will have to fend for themselves for a fortnight – but they do have something to aim towards.

The hardworking 12 who are taking part in the Weigh Forward fitness challenge will be without the expert helping hand of personal trainer Steven Smith as he enjoys a two-week holiday.

But the 12 keen contestants, who are already seeing the benefits after just three weeks of training, will make sure they stay focused and work towards achieving their goal.

The dynamic dozen will be able to see exactly how they are doing when they weigh-in this Saturday, two weeks after they last weighed themselves.

The competitors have all had an excellent start to the Weigh Forward competition, which was launched by the Hartlepool Mail last month in conjunction with Tavistock Leisure and personal trainer Steven. They managed to shed 106lbs between them in the first week alone.

The hard work will pay off for them all, but the winner will celebrate a hotel stay and one-to-one personal training for two months.

A month’s supply of personal training will also be offered to the runner up.

Ahead of the start of his holiday, trainer Steven said: “They are going to have to keep themselves motivated now.

“They are not going to have me here for the rest of their lives, they are doing extremely well and I can’t see any of them letting slip what they have already achieved.

“To be honest I’m surprised how quickly some of them are coming on.

“Some of them couldn’t run before and now they are doing sprints, they’re coming on leaps and bounds.”

It’s not getting any easier for the contestants.

After getting put through their paces on the promenade between Hartlepool and Seaton Carew, they are stepping up a level as they head to the challenging dunes of Crimdon.